February
In our February meeting we learnt about the parable of The Good Shepherd using a story box full of interesting props. The children had lots of good ideas about what a parable is, and then watched the story of The Good Shepherd unfold as materials appeared from the box. We thought about what the story was telling us and the differences between the good shepherd who looked after his sheep and the bad shepherd who ran away. We understood that God is a good shepherd who will always look after us and will not leave us when there is danger.
We made some pictures of sheep using cotton wool and some of the children told each other the story of The Good Shepherd using the materials in the box again. We sang some songs and at the end we played a game trying to be good shepherds who herd their sheep into the fold – using balloons, rolled up newspaper and chairs for the pen, not real sheep!
January
In January, we heard the story of Jonah and the Whale. We made some amazing whales with Jonah inside! It will help us to remember that we can’t hide from God when we don’t want to do something he has asked us to or we’ve done something bad. He loves us and will help us to do the things he wants us to do and will forgive us if we are sorry. Prompted by the children, we had an interesting discussion about how we know when God is talking to us and they had some great ideas – angels, dreams, a loudspeaker! I wonder what he is telling you today?
December
In December, we had a Christmas themed session. Do we receive gifts when it is someone else’s birthday? Jesus was the greatest gift and we can give as well as receive at Christmas. We made gift boxes to fill and gave them to people at the Family Service, helping us to learn that giving is just as important a part of Christmas.
November
What a wonderful time together this month! We heard the story of Joseph and his talent for interpreting dreams, a talent that his brothers didn’t like. We all have special talents and it’s important not to want others talents, but be happy with what God has given especially to us. We all used the same materials, but made unique coloured coats for Joseph. It’s amazing what you can do with coffee filter papers, a spray bottle and a hair dryer! We are all made of the same things, but we are unique and very special, just like the Joseph coats. Clare has a talent for making yummy chocolate brownies, which we all enjoyed too!
September
“The eyes of all wait upon you; and you give them what they need in the right season. The children put their trust in you. You crown the year with your goodness. The valleys shout for joy and sing. O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”
In our story this month, the farmer complained for months that the harvest would be bad. His wife trusted God that he would provide. The wheat worked hard to grow through the rain and drought and storms. We learned that we can trust God to provide and we should make time to rejoice and thank him for everything we receive.
We coloured in harvest mice to decorate the church for the harvest service and made a poster of all the wonderful things we have harvested in our gardens, in the hedgerows, in the UK and in the world. It was nice to hear from the children about their own harvests of tomatoes, runner beans, blackberries, chillis and potatoes.
We made a prayer chain, each child writing their own prayer link about harvest and shared them together. Our prayers were thank yous for all that we have to eat from harvests near and far and to help us share what he has provided with those who don’t have enough.
